Automatic sack filling and weighing machine.



E. D. CARTER.

AUTOMATIC SACK FILLING AND WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 11.111,22, 1910.

1,007,848. Y Patented Nov. '7, 1911.

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E. D. CARTER. AUTOMATIC SACK FILLING AND WBIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 11,111.22, 1910.

1,007,848,` Patented Nom, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

'n o@ i 1 L v Edward. C'arel; 3

@w 55 l @is coLumlA PLANuu'uAPH cO.,WAsHxNaTON. D. C.

E. D. CARTER.

AUTOMATIC SACK FILLING AND WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.22, 1910.

1,007,848. Patented NGV. '7, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

/MY/W? @Hmm/w13 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CIJ-.WASHINGTON u. n..

E. D. CARTER. l AUTOMATIC SACK FILLING AND WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAB.. 22, 1910.

1,007,848. Patented Non?, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

EDWARD D. CARTER, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.

AUTOMATIC SACK FILLING AND WEIGHING MACHINE.

nooasas.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 7, 1911.

Application filed March 22, 1910. Serial No. 550,991.

[lo all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD D. CARTER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Houston, in the county of Harris and State of Texas, haveinvented a new and useful Automatic Sack Filling and Veighing Machine,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sack filling and weighing machines of theautomatic type, such for instance, as is disclosed in United StatesLetters Patent No. 895,160, granted to me August 4, 1908.

lThe invention has for one of it-s objects to improve the constructionand operation of machines of this character so as to be comparativelysimple and inexpensive to manufacture, reliable and efficient in use,and entirely automatic in operation, except as to the placing andremoving of the sacks.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedsack-holding and hopper-carrying frame connected with the beam scales ofthe machine, in combination with a single feed spout under which thehoppers are alternately placed'for filling the bags successively.

Another object of the invention is the employment of means forcontrolling the feed of material during the final stage of filling asack, so that the feed can be diminished radually for effecting accurateweighing.

lVit-h these objects in view and others, as will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention comprises the various novel featuresof construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fullydescribed hereinafter and set forth with particularity in the claimsappended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one embodiment of theinvention, Figure 1 is a front view of the machine showing the same withthe parts in position during the filling operation. Fig. 2 is a verticallongitudinal section showing one of the bags almost filled and prior tothe tipping of the scale beam. Fig. 3 is a front view showing the scalebeam tipped and the platform frame tilted for removing the filled bagfrom and placing the empty bag under the feeding spout. Fig. 4 is a.plan view of the machine. Fig. 5 is an end view thereof. Fig. 6 is afront view of the hopper.

to designate corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the main frame of the machinewhich comprises corner legs or uprights 1 connected to gether by top andbottom side bars 2 and 3, and top and bottom end bars 4 and 5 which forma rigid skeleton-like framework preferably of angle iron. At the top ofthe frame is a swinging scale frame designated generally by B which iscomposed of side beams 6 connected rigidly together by a bolt7 aroundwhich is arranged a tube 8 that forms a spacer between the side scalebeams 6. The corresponding ends of t-he scale beams are provided withknife edge pivots 9 which engage in V-shaped bearings 10 on thestandards at one end of the main frame so as to swing on a horizontalaXis. The pivots 9 are located inwardly from one end of the beams so asto provide short arms 11 and long arms 12 on which latter slidingweights or poises 13 are provided, the weights being adjusted withrespect to the scale marks on the beams. The free extremities of thelong arms are movable in vertical guides 14 on the uprights of the frameat the end of the machine opposite from the fulcrum point 9. At thebottom of the main frame is a swinging frame C to which the short arm ofthe scale beam frame B is connected. The swinging frame C is composed ofside bars 15 which are connected together by transverse bolt rods 16 onwhich are sleeves 17 that form spacers. This rigid rectangular frame isfulcrumed at the end .opposite from the fulcrumed end of the scale beamframe, while the free end of the frame C is connected by rods 17a withthe short arm of the scale beam frame. The side bars 15 of the frame Care bent laterally to extend outside the legs of the main frame and areprovided with notches 18 to form seats for upwardly-extending links 19to which the hooked ends 20 of the rods 17a are engaged. The upper endsof the rods 1"(a terminate in bearing eyes 21 in which engage knife-edgepivots 22 extending laterally from the scale beams 6 of the scale frameB. While the swinging lever C and beam of the machine are preferablyconstructed as frames, it is to be understood that the invention is notnecessarily limited to these features.

Disposed between the lever C and beam B is an oscillatory frame D thatforms a carrier for the platform E and the hopper F. The frame Dconsists of spaced bottom side bars 23 to which are connected the lowerends of corner standards 24 that have their upper ends connected withtop side bars 25 between and to which the hopper F is secured. Thisframe tilts on a centrally-disposed transverse axis at the bottomthereof. For this purpose, the side bar 15 of the frame or lever C isprovided with bearings 26 in which is supported a horizontal shaft 27.The side bars 23 of the oscillatory frame are connected with this shaftby U-shaped clips 28, Fig. 2, which span the shaft and pass throughopenings 29 in the side bars 23 and are held in place by nuts 30. Theside bars 23 project beyond the uprights 24 and terminate over thehorizontal. end bars 5 of the main frame A, Fig. 2, and these projectingextremities have adjustable stops 31 in the form of set screws sodisposed as to engage the cross bars to limit the tiltingmovement of theoscillatory frame.

As shown in Fig. 9, the frame C has its side bars provided with fulcrumscrews 15a that have their lower ends pointed and resting in cuppedbearings 15b on the side bars 3 of the main frame. rFliese screws 152lcan be turned to raise or lower the fulcrumed end of the frame C toproperly adjust the same with respect to the scale beam.

Arranged immediately above the side bars and extending between thestandards of the oscillatory frame is the horizontal sack-supportingplatform E which can be adjusted vertically toward or from the hopperfor adapting the platform to bags of different lengths. To this end, theextremities of the platform are provided with links 82, the upper ends83 of which can be hooked at different places on the standards 24, thestandards being provided with spaced apertures or equivalent means forreceiving the hooks The hopper F is composed of two sections orcompartments 85 and 3G which are of similar construction andsymmetrically disposed with respect to the transverse vertical planepassing through the axis on which the oscillatory frame tilts. Thehopper sections are separated by an inverted V-shaped partition 37 whichhas special reference to the feed chute or spout, as will be hereinaftermore fully described. The lower ends of the hopper sections receive theopen ends of the bags to be filled. Each hopper section has on its rearside a bag-gripping device in the form of a horizontal rock shaft 38,Figs. 6 and 7, mounted in the bearings 39 on the hopper and equippedwith teeth 40 which pierce the sack or bag. Each rock shaft has a handleor crank arm 41 disposed at the end of the hopper and adapted to swingdownwardly to an approximately horizontal position when it isautomatically engaged by a gravity-locked catch 42, Fig. 7. This catchhas its upper end pivoted at 43 on the end wall of the hopper and isrecessed at its lower end to form a shoulder 44 which engages over thecrank arm when the latter is depressed.

rlhe catch is provided with a handle whereby it can be released whendisengaging the bag from the gripping device. Vhen the rear bag-grippingdevice is released, the teeth are approximately in vertical position, sothat the bag can be presented thereto, and by the rocking of thetooth-carrying shaft, the teeth are turned to an approximatelyhorizontal position for sustaining the weight of the bag. During thisrocking of the shaft for gripping the bag, the free end of the crank arm41 strikes the latch 42 and swings the same laterally out of itsvertical position until the lower end of the latch is reached, when thesame swings back to its normal position to engage the shoulder over thecrank arm for locking the latter. Each hopper section is provided with afront bag-gripping device which consists of levers or frames 4G, eachfulcrumed at 47 at its upper end on the hopper, and has one or morebag-gripping teeth 48 at its lower end. These levers can swing inwardlyor outwardly to adjustthemselves to bags of different widths and each isheld in locked position by a toothed member 49 fulcrumed at 50 andhaving ratchet teeth 51 which engage a tooth 52 on the lever or frame46. The teeth 51 are so shaped that the tooth 52 can ride over them asthe lever 4G is swung outwardly to grip the bag, so that the member 49will automatically lock the lever in place. VVh-en the bag is to bereleased, the free end of the member 49 is raised to disengage the teeththereof from the tooth of the lever to thereby permit the latter to bemoved inwardly for releasing the teeth or hooks 48 thereof from the bag.The lever 46 has a forwardly-extending handle 53 whereby it can beconveniently manipulated. These adjustable devices for engaging themouth of the bag, taken in connection with the adjustable platform,render the weighing machine adaptable for sacks or bags of dierentdimensions.

Rigidly supported in any suitable manner over the center of the machineis a feed chute or spout G through which material continuously flows toone bag or the other, according to which hopper section is under thechute. The lower end of the chute is equipped with means for directingthe grain into the inner hopper section, said means consisting,preferably, of hinged doors or gates 54 hinged at their upper ends toopposite sides of the chute. These gates are of such length that one orthe other will rest on the apex of the V-shaped partition 37 between thehopper sections to direct the grain or material into 'one of the hoppersections, while closing communication between the chute and other hoppersection. The other gate is moved laterally by the incoming material soas not to interrupt the flow. 1n the chute G is arranged a horizontalrotary feeder 55 which has longitudinally-extending pockets 56 in itscircumference. This rotary feeder coperates with a cut-o in the form ofa plate 57 to diminish the feed of material through the chute during thefinal stage of the filling of the bags. The plate 57 moves inwardly andoutwardly through an opening 58 in the side of the chute and isconnected with a lever 59 disposed outside the chute and fulcrumed at 60on the bracket 61 which is carried by the chute. This lever has a weight62 so arranged as to tend to throw the plate 58 inwardly toward thevalve to cut 0E the flow between the valve and plate. The scale beamserves to hold the cut-olf device 57 in open position by means of a hook63 which is hingedly connected at 64 to the lever and has its lower,laterally-bent end 65 disposed under the scale beam, so that as long asthe latter is down, the cut-off device will be open. As soon as thescale beam rises, as shown in Fig. 3, the weight 62 comes into play totilt the lever 59 in such a direction as to move the cut-oif device 57into proximity to the valve. The valve is continuously rotated by a belt66 running over a pulley 67 connected with a valve or equivalent means,Fig. l, so that the pockets thereof will successively discharge theircontents into the bag after the cut-off device is closed, until theoscillatory bag-carrying frame is fully tilted and the position of thehopper changed, when the filling of the empty bag takes place. As soonas the scale beam drops to normal position, the cut-off device will beopened so as to permit the maximum iiow of material to the new bag. By afeed-regulating means of this character, the weighing of the materialsupplied to the sacks can be accurately and quickly accomplished. Thecut-o device forms a coarse feed regulator, while the rotary valveserves as a fine feed regulator, and these are automatically broughtinto play as the conditions for weighing the material require; that isto say, when the bag is almost filled, the coarse feed regulator isclosed and as soon as the empty bag is presented to the chute, thecoarse feed regulator is opened for establishing the maximum flow ofmaterial through the chute. The valve beingconstantly rotated, serves asan agitator to prevent the clogging of material in the chute, inaddition to its function as a fine feed regulator. v

During the major part of the filling operat on of the bag, theoscillatory frame is level or in a horizontal position, but as soon asthe bag is filled, the oscillatory frame lowers by the weight ofmaterial overcoming the poises 13 of the scale beam and causing the beamB to swing upwardly and the lever C to swing downwardly. After thisdownward movement takes place, the oscillatory frame suddenly tilts inone direction or the other, according to the position of the filled bag,for shifting the empty bag under the feed chute. The oscillatory frameis held in normally central position by a pair of hooks 68 and 69disposed at the front and rear of the machine, respectively, andreversely arranged. The outer end of the hook 68 is fulcrumed at 70 onthe front right leg l of thc main frame, while the outer end of the rearhook is fulcrumed on the left rear leg of the main' frame. The free endsof these hooks terminate at the transverse medial plane ofthe machineand each is provided with a shoulder 71 for engaging a catch 72 on eachupper side bar 25 of the oscillatory frame, the front catch 72 beingreversely disposed to the catch 72 on the rear top side bar. The fronthook 68 prevents tilting of the oscillatory frame to the left` while therear hook 69 prevents tilting of the frame to the right. Thesecentralizing devices or levers are adapted to be automatically releasedas the bags are alternately filled. Each hook is released by a lever 73fulcrumed at 74 on the main frame and carrying at its outer end a weight75. The lever 73 has a depending arm 76 at one side of the fulcrum point74, and connected with said arm is a latch device 77 in the form of ahorizontally-disposed member hingedly connected at 78 with the arm 76and normally resting on a stop 79 which is an adjustable screw 80carried by a bracket 8l on the main frame. This latch 77 has a shoulder82 at its bottom that is engaged by a catch 83 on the adjacent standard24 of the oscillatory frame. W'hen the oscillatory frame tilts to theleft, Fig. 1, the catch 83 moves the latch 77 laterally to raise theweighted end 75 of the lever 73 so that the inner end of the lever willbe moved away from the hook 68 in order to impart a hammer blow theretoas soon as the weighted end of the lever is allowed to dro-p by thedisengagement of the cat-ch 83 from the lshoulder 82.

catch is effected by the downward move-` This disengagement of the mentof the swinging frame or lever C when the poises 13 are overbalanced bythe filled sack of the platform. The time when the disengagement occurscan bc adjusted by turning the set screw 80 to thereby raise the latchmember 77.

In practice, the long arm ofthe scale beam B will be down when themachine is idle and the platform E raised. rI`he front and rear hooks 63and 69 will engage their respect-ive catches 72 so as to maintain theplatform horizontal. Bags are applied to the hopper, as shown in Fig. l,and the feed through the chute G is opened. One bag or the other issupplied with material, according to the position of the gates 54. Inthe present instance, the left bag is filling, and during the filling,the platform tends to tilt to the left but is arrested by the front hook68, and as the filling continues, the weight 75 of the front lever willbe held in raised position by the latch 77 engaging the catch 83. Afterthe bag has received the desired amount of material, the scale beam willrise and allow the swinging frame C and oscillatory frame to drop. Thecatch 73 is thus disengaged from the latch 77, with the result that thelever 73 quickly releases the front hook 68 so that the oscillatoryframe D suddenly tilts to the position shown in Fig. 3 for removing thefilled bag from and placing the unfilled bag under the feed chute. Theattendant then removes the filled sack and applies an empty one to thehopper in its place while the filling of the second bag takes place. Assoon as the filled bag is removed, the beam drops and the frames C and Dreturn to their normal position. During this movement, the oscillatoryframe is arrested in its central position by the rear lever 69 engagingits catch 72, and also the rear catch 83 moves into engagement with theshoulder S2 of the rear latch 77 and moves the latter to the right, Fig.3, to bring the hook-releasing lever 7 3 into position for striking therear hook 79 when the right hand bag is filled and the platformdepressed. This filled bag is then taken away and an empty onesubstituted while the filling of the third bag takes place withoutinterruption. It will thus be seenthat the bags arel alternately filledwhile a continuous feed is maintained through the spout, and all that isrequired of the attendant is to remove the filled sack and place theempty ones on the hopper.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and of themethod of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the artto which the invention appertains, and while I have described theprinciple of operation of the invention, together with the apparatuswhich I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to haveit understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative, and thatsuch changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of theclaims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, aswinging element fulcrumed thereon, a swinging scale beam fulcrumed onthe structure, an oscillatory frame mounted on the element and disposedbetween the same and beam, means on the frame for holding a plurality ofsacks, a feed hopper, and a mechanism for holding the frame in positionfor permitting the chute to discharge into any sack and to automaticallypermit the oscillatory frame to shift under the weight of the filledsack for placing an empty sack under the chute.

2. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, aswinging element mounted thereon, a scale beam on the structure, meansfor operatively connecting the beam and element, an oscillatory framecarried wholly on the element and including sack-holding means, a feedchute disposed above the said means, and mechanism for permitting theframe to automatically tilt by the weight of a filled bag for removingsuch bag from under the chute and placing an empty bag thereunder.

3. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, anelement fulcrumed thereon, a scale beam spaced above and connected withthe element, an oscillatory frame, means for mounting the same on theelement to rise and fall therewith and to tilt independently thereof,means on the frame for holding bags side by side, a fixed continuouslydischarging chute arranged above the bag-holding means, devices forholding the frame in position for filling one bag at a time from thechute, and automatically actuated means for releasing the devices topermit the frame to tilt for moving the filled bag from and placing theempty bag Linder the chute.

4l. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, aswinging element, a weighing beam disposed above the element, aconnection between the beam and element whereby the element falls as thepoise-carrying arm of the beam rises, an oscillatory supporting framecarried by and disposed above the element, means on the frame forholding sacks side by side, a feed chute disposed above the said means,devices for holding the frame in central position during the filling ofa bag, and means for automatically releasing either device upon thedownward movement of the element to permit the frame to tilt under theweight of the filled bag for bringing the unfilled bag under the chute.

5. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, aframe having one end fulcrumed on the structure, a scale beam fulcrumedon the structure, a link connecting the beam with the frame, anoscillatory platform-carrying frame centrally fulcrumed on the firstframe, means for limiting the tilting of the second frame, bagholdingdevices carried by the second frame, a feed chute disposed over thedevices, means for holding either device under the chute, and means forautomatically releasing the devices as the first frame falls to permitthe second frame to oscillate under the weight of the filled bag forbringing the empty bag in line with the chute.

6. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, aswinging frame composed of connected side bars, means for fulcruming theframe on the structure, bearings on the side bars, an oscillatory framesupported by the bearings, a platform on the oscillatory frame, abagholding means spaced above the platform and mounted on theoscillatory frame, and means for filling the bags successively throughthe tilting of the oscillatory frame.

7. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, aframe fulcrumed at one end thereon, a scale beam, a connection betweenthe beam and frame, adjustable fulcrums for the frame, a tiltableplatform carried by the frame, bag-holding devices disposed in fixedrelation to the platform, a feed chute, and automatically releaseddevices for shifting the bag-holding means under the chute forsuccessively fill ing the bags.

8. In a weighing machine, the combination of a scale beam, a swingingelement, a connection between the beam and element, an oscillatory framecarried by the element, an adjustable platform on the frame, abagholding means mounted on the frame in such position as to rest thebottom ends of the bags on the platform, a material feeding chutedisposed above the said means, and devices for holding the oscillatoryframe stationary during the filling of a bag and adapted to beautomatically released upon the downward movement of the element forpermitting the frame to tilt under the weight of the filled bag.

9. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, aswinging element, a frame wholly carried thereby, a platform on theframe, hoppersdisposed above the platform and arranged side by side,bag-holding means on the hoppers for receiving the mouth ends of thebags while the lower ends rest on the platform, automatically setdevices for holding the frame' tion of a supporting structure, adepressible and oscillatory frame, a scale beam connect ved with theframe for holding the same raised, a bag-holding platform on theoscillatory frame, hoppers on the frame disposed above the platform,means on the hoppers for fastening bags thereto, and devices released bythe lowering of the frame to permit the latter to tilt under the weightof the filled bag for removing the latter from filling position.

ll. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, aswinging element thereon, an oscillatory frame mounted on the element, avertically adjustable platform on the oscillatory frame, a plurality ofbag-receiving hoppers supported on the frame above the platform, devicesfor holding the oscillatory frame in central position, a supply chute,means on the supply chute for directing material into either hopper, ascale beam for holding the element and attached part raised, and meansfor releasing the devices when the frame lowers with the element underthe weight of the filled bag to permit the frame to oscillate forremoving the filled bag from and placing an empty bag under the supplychute.

12. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, anoscillatory and vertically movable frame, a platform on the frame, ascale beam connected with the frame for holding the same raised, a fixedsupply chute disposed above the frame, a plurality of hoppers disposedside by side and movable under the chute, oppositelydisposed devicesarranged to hold the oscillatory frame in central position during thelling of a bag and permitting the frame to fall under the weight of afilled bag, and means for automatically releasing the devices upon thelowering of the frameA to per- 13. In a weighing machine, the combina- 4tion of a supporting structure, an oscillatory and vertically-movableframe, a scale beam operatively connected with the frame for holding thesame raised, a fixed supply chute, bag-holding means on the framemovable under the chute, oppositely-disposed hooks mounted on thestructure, devices on the frame with which the hooks engage formaintaining the frame in central position during the filling of the bag,and devices for releasing either hook after the lowering of the frame topermit the latter to tilt under the weight of the filled bag forthrowing an empty bag under the chute.

14. In a weighing machine, the combination of an oscillatory framemounted for vertical movement, a scale beam operatively connected withthe frame to hold the latter raised, a fixed feed chute, hoppersdisposed side by side and movable under the chute and supported on theframe, devices for holding` the frame against oscillation during thefilling of a bag, and gravity-actuated means for disengaging the devicesto permit the frame to oscillate for removing the filled bag from andplacing an empty bag under the chute.

15. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, anoscillatory frame mounted to rise and fall, a scale beam forcounterbalancing the frame, a supply chute, a hopper for holding aplurality of bags on the frame and movable under the chute as the frametilts, oppositely-disposed hooks mounted on the structure, catches onthe frame with which the hooks automatically engage to hold the framestationary during the lilling of a bag, devices for releasing the hooksafter the frame lowers, and means for holding the devices in operativeposition while the frame is raised.

16. ln a weighing machine, the combina` tion of a supporting structure,an oscillatory frame mounted on the structure to rise and fall, a scalebeam for counterbalancing the frame, means for holding bags side by sideon the frame, a material supplying means, hooks mounted on thestructure, catches on the frames with which the hooks are held inengagement by gravity, gravity-operated devices for releasing the hooks,and means for permitting the devices to operate to release the hooksupon the lowering of the frame to thereby permit the latter to oscillateto throw an empty bag under the feed means.

17. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting frame, astructure mounted thereon for oscillatory and vertical movement, a scalebeam mounted on the frame and connected with the structure tocounterbalance the same, bag-holding means fixed on the structure tomove therewith, a material feeding chute disposed over the said means,devices mounted on the frame for holding the structure level during thefilling of a bag, weighted elements for releasing the devices, membersconnected with the elements, and means on the structure for engaging themembers to hold the elements in position to strike the said devicesafter the structure moves backwardly to permit an empty bag to moveunder the chute by the oscillation of the structure.

18. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting frame, ast-ructure mounted to tilt on a horizontal axis, means for movablymounting the axis, a scale beam connected with the said means, devicesfor holding a plurality of bags on the structure, oppositely disposedelements arranged to engage the structure to hold the same stationary incentral position during the filling of a bag, striking members forreleasing the elements, latch devices connected with the members, andcatches on the structure for engaging the latches to releasably hold thestriking members in operative position, said catches being released fromthe latches by the downward movement of the structure.

19. ln a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, aswinging element fulcrumed thereon, an oscillatory frame mounted on theelement, a platform disposed in the bottom of the frame, bagholdingmeans mounted on the top of the frame for supporting bags on theplatform, a material feeding chute disposed above the frame, hookspivoted at their outer ends to the said structure and extending inwardlyalong the frame, catches on the frame with which the hooks engage forpreventing tilting in either direction during the filling of the bags,separate releasing devices for the hooks, and means on the frame foractuating either device to permit the frame to oscillate under theweight of the filled bag for transferring an empty bag under the chute.

20. In a weighing machine, the combination of a vertically-movable andoscillatory bag-holding frame, a supporting structure therefor, a scalebeam connected with the frame and mounted on the structure,oppositely-disposed centering elements arranged at opposite sides of themachine and pivotally connected at their ends to the structure, deviceson the frame with which the free ends of the elements engage to hold theframe level during the filling of a bag, and mechanism automaticallymoved and held in operative position by the frame for re- I leasingeither element to permit the frame to tilt after moving downwardly underthe weight of the lilled bag to move the emptyA bag to iilling position.

21. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, averticallymovable and oscillatory frame mounted on thestructure, a scalebeam, a connection between the beam and frame, centrally-disposedcatches on the upper part of the frame, hooks pivoted at their outerends on the structure and having their inner ends disposed to engage thecatches for holding the frame level, levers mounted on the structure torelease the hooks, weights tending to actuate the levers, and means forreleasing either lever upon the downward movement of the frame to permitthe latter to tilt by the preponderance of weight on one side of theaxis of the frame.

22. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure, averticallymovable and oscillatory bag-carrying frame, a scale beamoperatively connected with the frame, centrally-disposed catches on theframe, hooks pivoted at their outer ends on the structure and maintainedin engagement with the catches by gravity to hold the framehorizontally, a centrally-disposed feed chute, levers fulcrumed on thestructure, and devices for operating the levers to release the hooksupon the downward movement of the frame to per'mit the latter to tiltunder the weight of the filled bag to throw an empty bag under the feedchute.

.9.3. In a weighing machine, the combination of a supporting structure,a bag-carrying frame mounted to rise and fall and to oscillate on ahorizontal axis, a scale beam connected with the frame and mounted onthe structure, devices for releasably holding the frame in horizontalposition, weighted levers mounted on the structure for releasing thedevices, members hingedly connected with the levers, adjustable supportsfor the members, catches on the frame for engaging the members to movethe levers to operative position and arranged to release the members onthe downward movement of the frame to permit the latter to oscillateunder the weight of the filled bag, and a feed hopper cooperating withthe oscillatory frame to successively fill the bags on the latter.

24. In a weighing machine, a movable bag holding frame, a scale beamconnected therewith, a feed chute, means for constantly deliveringmaterial from the chute, and a cutoff plate movable transversely of thefeed chute toward and from the means for constantly delivering materialfrom the chute, said plate being controlled in its movement by the beamfor diminishing the fiow through the chute at the final stage of thefilling of the bag.

25. In a weighing machine, a movable scale beam, a feed chute, a rotaryfeeder in the chute, and a plate movable transversely of the chutetoward and from the rotary feeder and controlled by the beam to diminishthe flow through the chute during the final stage of the weighingoperation to the capacity of the feeder.

26. In a weighing machine, a scale beam, a fixed feed chute, a rotarypocketed feeder mounted in the chute near one side thereof, and a cutolf plate movable transversely of the chute toward and from the feederand controlled by the beam, the plate and feeder coacting to diminishthe feed through the chute at the final stage of weighing.

9.7. In a weighing machine, a scale beam, a feed chute, a rotatablefeeding device in the chute at one side thereof, a weighted leverpivotally connected to the feed chute, connections between the lever andthe scale beam, and a slidable plate movable transversely of the feedchute toward and from the rotatable feeding device by the action of themovement of the scale beam on the weighted lever.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have heretoafiiXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD D. CARTER. Witnesses D. C. DUNN, J. P. SoRoNToN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

